Trailer: future-proof with sensors and its own drive
In the search for potential savings and greater safety reserves in the fleet, the focus is increasingly turning to trailers as well as tractor units. Developments in this area are diverse.
Semi-trailers are no longer what they used to be. The “shoeboxes on wheels” have developed into real high-tech vehicles and have thus moved out of the shadow of the tractor units. This change in image is underlined by the new innovations and trends, which will also be a topic at the NUFAM commercial vehicle trade fair (September 25 to 28).
Predictive maintenance
Telematics and sensor technology in particular are making trailers increasingly intelligent. Smart sensors can, for example, detect when the brake pads are approaching their wear limit, when the tire pressure is dropping or when the axle tracking should be readjusted. This enables the fleet manager to maintain the trailers predictively, making it easier to plan and shorten workshop visits. Last but not least, the early warnings can help to prevent accidents and injuries.
Tire pressure monitoring sensors are also an effective investment in safety. These tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) will be mandatory for all new trailers from 2024 and can be retrofitted to older models. If there is a pressure loss of more than 20 percent or a system malfunction, the driver will receive a warning within ten minutes – via a warning display in the cab.
Electronics to prevent wheel lock
Further examples of smart sensors include axle load measurement or monitoring the cargo space temperature in refrigerated trailers. Last but not least, sensors also measure the brake pressure, the vehicle speed or – with the help of suspension travel sensors – the load condition. Electronic control units calculate in a flash how much brake pressure is needed on which wheel and whether a wheel could lock.
Less spectacular and available for many years are the door sensors, which are mainly used for anti-theft or cold chain monitoring. Finally, the classic sensors are the GPS sensors for GPS tracking and geofencing.
Reduced brake wear
Another trend is electrified trailers – or “e-trailers” for short – which are characterized by their own axle with an electric motor. While the axle helps to accelerate the tractor-trailer rig, energy is recuperated and fed back into the battery when braking. All in all, the additional drive axle with an electric motor leads to fuel savings for diesel tractor units and to a longer range for electrically powered tractor units. In addition, brake wear is reduced.
The trailer developments for greater efficiency through weight optimization and improved aerodynamics work entirely without electronics. Aerodynamic attachments such as side panels and rear diffusers can reduce energy consumption, especially in long-distance transport. Lightweight materials have an even greater influence. Lightweight trailers like the ecoCHAMP 20 LTn from Berger ecotrail, for example, offer an average consumption advantage of 2.5 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers. As two-axle vehicles, the vehicles also reduce tolls, which leads to a high level of overall cost-effectiveness. The lightweight steel semi-trailers with sliding curtains impress with a payload of 27.6 tons.
Autonomous across the depot
Another trend topic for trailers is automation: In order to make progress in this area, the commercial vehicle specialist Krone has been cooperating with Fernride, a provider of autonomous and teleoperated transport solutions, since 2022. As part of this collaboration, automated trailers are being developed that will initially automatically implement the important secondary functions, such as coupling, closing doors or sensor-based environmental analysis.
Conclusion: the trailer offers enormous potential for savings in the fleet. In view of the typical long service life of trailers in classic long-distance transport of eight to twelve years, the innovations will gradually spread throughout the industry.